Welge was also named the all-conference team's captain. Selections were announced by the conference on Nov. 1.

"I am very proud of all three of these girls," said Chester coach Adam Gibbs. "They earned their designation as all-conference team members and it was also very special that Carlee Weir, a setter, was named as the all-conference team captain."

The 2017 Lady Yellow Jackets exceeded pre-season expectations according to Coach Gibbs. "At the beginning of the season we had a goal of at least achieving a .500 season with an equal number of wins and losses," he said. "Who would have guessed we would win 24 games. I would have been thrilled with a 20-win season, but the girls exceeded expectations and accomplished many great things."

Chester finished with a record of 24-8, including 8-1 at home. The Lady Yellow Jackets shared the BDC championship with Trico with equal records of 10-2.

Chester began the postseason at the Class 2A Anna-Jonesboro Regional, defeating the host Lady Wildcats in the semifinals before falling to Pinckneyville in the regional championship.

Other accomplishments included winning the Silver Division bracket at the Freeburg Monster Mash tournament.

The team was rather young with seniors Katie Hoffman, Maddie Hoffman and Tayler Howie and juniors Carlee Weir and Lauren Welge.

The remainder of the varsity squad consisted of three sophomores and four freshmen.

For the year, the Lady Yellow Jackets recorded 185 aces, 695 kills, 178 solo blocks, 643 assists and 729 digs. Katie Hoffman and Weir led the team in two of those five statistical categories, while Howie led in the other.

Katie Hoffman led the team in kills with 173 and solo blocks with 74. Weir led the team in aces with 41 and assists with 582 and Howie led the team in digs with 223.